NEW LONDON, N.H. – The Colby-Sawyer men's basketball team debuted for the first in 2023-24 on Wednesday night falling by a 87-82 margin to Salem State University.

Rapid Recap:

• The Vikings jumped ahead early with three-straight buckets, but junior Chaz Cullum (Omaha, Neb.) started the run quickly with a layup followed by a graduate student Bryson Jenkins (Gary, Ind.) triple. The lead jumped back to five, but another shot from deep this time by junior Jaquan Mosley (Deep Run, N.C.) cut the lead for the visitors to 10-8. Salem State continued to attack going on a 10-4 run sparked by a pair of triples for Jaden Castillo. Jenkins answered with a three followed by a steal by junior Nick Grant (Houston, Texas) to a fast break layup for Cullum to keep the deficit at three. Back-to-back jumpers by Lamont Hicks ballooned the lead back to eight at the midway point of the half. An and-one three by junior Mike Joanou (Burbank, Calif.) cut the lead to four, but another Castillo three kept the Chargers at bay. The lead hit double-digits for the Vikings with five minutes to play in the half, but the Chargers closed strong with a 15-6 run highlighted by five points for junior Jaisan Parker (Durham, N.C.) cut the Viking lead to 45-44 headed into the break.
• The teams traded buckets out of the break with Salem State continuing to apply pressure and after a three by Nicholas Martinez the lead stayed at 53-47. Mosley, first year Sean Peterson (Chester, N.H.) and Cullum each added lay-ins to even the score before Peterson gave Colby-Sawyer a lead at 55-53. Junior Cha'Mar Martin (Columbia, S.C.) kept the lead for the Chargers with a big three, but Castillo countered with another of his own to put Salem State back in front. The teams were even at 62-62 with 10:25 to play, but a killer 17-10 run put the Vikings in control with 2:54. The Chargers tried a late second comeback with Mosley knocking down his third three of the game with 17 seconds left to trim the lead to 85-82, but two free throws by Michael Makiej put the game away.

Inside the Numbers:

• Mosley debuted strong for the Chargers with 18 points (7-12 FG, 3-4 3-FG, 1-2 FT) to go with eight rebounds, a block and a steal. Peterson added a 13 point (6-10 FG, 1-2 FT) game in his debut at the college level with five rebounds. Cullum filled the stat sheet with nine points (4-7 FG, 1-2 FT) nine rebounds, five assists and two swipes. Jenkins added 11 points (4-14 FG, 3-12 3-FG). 
• Martinez led the way for the Vikings with 22 points (8-12 FG, 2-3 3-FG, 4-4 FT) to go with four steals and four boards. Makiej added 19 points (8-20 FG, 0-4 3-FG, 3-4 FT) and six rebounds.
• Salem State edged the Chargers in fast break points with a 26-8 advantage, while Colby-Sawyer dominated the glass with 17 second-chance points to the Vikings six. 

Up Next: 
The Chargers will take on Gordon College in the Colby College tournament on Friday with a 7:00 PM start.

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